Flint dispenser



July 14, 1953 w. R. AVIS mm DISPENSER Filed May 26 1950 INYENTOR.

.bis

, lighter.

. parts.

, a flint-receiving bore 12.

Patented July 14, 1953 1 UNITED STATESPATENTIOFFICE 7 Manufacturing Company, Bradford, Pa., a cor- V poration of Pennsylvania M Application May 26, 1950, Serial No. 1s4,'a15' 3 Claims. (01. 206-42) This invention relates to a dispenser for the flints used in pocket lighters. V

These flints are cylindrical objects of rather small size and it is therefore a tedious operation to pick one of them up with the fingers and insert it inthe flint tube of a pocket lighter. is especially true when a person is in a hurry.

The present invention provides a dispenser that may be carried conveniently in the pocket with the flints arranged in position for quick and convenient dispensing. The dispenser is provided with one or more dispensing tubes, which carry the flints in properly aligned position. These dispensing tubes are shaped to flt into the open end of the flint tube of the pocket The parts are so arranged that when a dispensing tube is placed in' engagement with the flint tube a light manual pressure on the body of the dispenser pushes a flint into the flint tube. This operation can be performed very quickly and easily.

Further objects and advantages of the invention will become apparent as the description proceeds.

In the drawings:

Fig. 1 is an isometric view of a preferred form of the dispenser.

Fig. 2 is a view similar to Fig. 1 but with the left-hand end broken away to show the internal arrangement of the parts. At the right-hand end of this view the parts are shown exploded in order to more Fig. 3 is an isometric view showing the working body of a pocket lighter in filling position with the flint tube open and the dispenser about to be applied.

Fig; 4 is a side view of the dispenser after one Of the flints has been ejected, the left-hand end being broken away to show in cross section the position of the parts after dispensin a flint.

Construction In the drawings, which illustrate a preferred form of the invention, reference numeral In indicates the body of the dispenser, which is formed to receive one or more dispensing tubes H. In the form illustrated the body carries four of these This r the flint occupies only 12 as clearly shown in-Figs. 1 and 2.

7 shown in Fig. 4 the bore [4' clearly illustrate the individual i dispensing tubes disposed in straight-line arrangement but obviously the body may contain one or more tubes disposed in any preferred arrangement.

Each of the dispensing tubes I l is formed with The diameter of this bore is such as to receive witha snug sliding fit a flint l3 of standardsize and shape. The dispensing'tube H is longer thanthe flint so that the upper end of the bore Each dispensing tube flts slidably into a cylindrical bore I4 formed in the body. As clearly is of less depth than the overall length of the dispensing tube H so that when the tube is in the outward position of Fig. 1 the bore 14 provides a space to permit inward movement of the dispensing tube.

. An ejecting rod I5 is attached to the body in alignment with the flint-receiving bore 12.

part of the body, but it may be a separate part moulded in the body. This ejecting rod is of such length that when the parts are in the loaded position of Fig. l the ejecting rod extends into the flint-receiving bore 12 and is in contact with the flint I3.

The outer end of each dispensing tube II is given a conical shape to form a nose piece 15 which is adapted to flt into the flint tube 11 of the pocket lighter.

The parts of the flint dispenser may be formed of any suitable materials. In the presently preferredform the body ID is formed of a white opaque plastic and the dispensing tubes are permits the flints to be seen. gives the dispenser This combination an attractive appearance.

Operation It will be evident from the description and drawings that the preferred form of the flint dispenser is a small article that may be conveniently carried in a pocket, handbag, or other convenient place.

Fig. 3 shows the flint dispenser applied to the working body of a Zippo (trade mark registered) type of lighter. When the lighter needs a new flint the working body is slipped from its case, and the screw plug l8 and follower spring H! are removed from the flint tube. The flint dispenser is then placed in position with the nose piece of one of the dispensing tubes projecting into the open end of the flint tube. In this position the tapered nose piece of the dispensing tube holds the dispensing tube and the flint tube of the lighter in registering engagement during the dispensing operation.

The body of the flint dispenser is then pushed downwardly with a light pressure toward the pocket lighter. During this movement the dispensing tube H moves toward the bottom of its Thev ejecting rod is preferably moulded as an integral position shown at the left end of Fig. 4;

According to the provisions of the patent vention may be practiced otherwise than as specifically illustrated and described.

Iclaim:

, inwardly in the body designed to permit the dispensing tube to slide bore and cause the ejecting rod to dispense a flint from the flint-receiving bore, said ejecting rod being at least as long as said dispensing tube. V

2. A flint dispenser as specified in claim 1 in which the dispenser has a plurality of the said dispensingtubes in straight-line arrangement.

3; A flint dispenser as specified in claim 1 in whichthe ejecting rod is homogeneously integral with the body of the dispenser.

WALTER 7R. AVIS.

References Cited in the file of this patent .UNITED STATES PATENTS I France Feb. 24, 1944 

